The World Health Organization (WHO) declared measles eliminated in the United States in 2000. Recently, however, various outbreaks now threaten that status. Our project uses data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Google, and Twitter to explore whether trends in the digital frenzy around measles correspond with actual cases.
Regular documentation of measles cases in the United States can be traced back to 1912, when it became complusory for health facilities to report cases. Incidences of measles, and related diseases such as Rubella and Mumps, dropped dramatically after the invention of the MMR vaccine. A great accomplishment of modern medicine, the vaccine is 97% effective in preventing measles contraction in children who receive both doses prior to the age of six.
####Immunization Rates and Current Cases
In spite of the efficacy of the MMR vaccine, parents in the United States are increasingly electing not to vaccinate their children. This, in turn, lowers “herd immunity,” putting unvaccinated children and immunocompromised individuals at risk. In December 2018, cases of measles began to rise as international travelers exposed to the disease abroad came in contact with disease-vulnernable populations. Cases have now occurred in 22 states, with the most active outbreaks ongoing in California, New York, Oregon, and Washington.